Thousands Protest Across France Again as Halloween Raises Fear of Violence

UPDATE - follow-up to Live Updates: Hundreds of Thousands Join Another Round of Protests in France: Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across France on Saturday for another weekly round of protests, leading to clashes with police in Paris and multiple other cities. The interior ministry estimated that 320,000 people marched nationwide, marking a decrease from 410,000 the previous week and 550,000 the week before. In Paris, the police estimated a turnout of 70,000 people, down from 110,000 on the prior Saturday.

Clashes and Halloween Concerns

Fears of renewed violence were amplified by Halloween falling on the same day, prompting authorities to warn about social media calls for revolt and the use of masks and costumes. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez deployed 70,000 police officers to maintain order and stated that evening gatherings urged by the far left and radicalized yellow vests would be forbidden. In Paris, police fired tear gas as tensions flared late in the afternoon, while rioters threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks, set a car on fire, and clashed with officers in various neighborhoods. Clashes and the use of tear gas and water cannons were also reported in Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Rennes.

Student Demands and Wider Grievances

The protest movement originally started with high school students in suburban Paris and has since expanded to include university students, public workers, and yellow vest veterans. Students return to school on Monday after a two-week break, remaining unsatisfied with the Education Ministry's initial concessions, which included capping some class sizes, offering low-interest loans for school buildings, and phasing out an online college admissions platform. Meanwhile, officials noted that far-right groups have also infiltrated the demonstrations.

Context

This follows an earlier report, covered earlier on 31 Oct 2026: 'Live Updates: Hundreds of Thousands Join Another Round of Protests in France'. Mass protests in France frequently grow out of student and labor grievances, often drawing a mix of political groups and heavy police deployments. French authorities use restrictions on public gatherings and curfews or bans on face coverings during protests to curb potential property damage and street violence.